CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN POLICY

Transcription

1 CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN POLICY YEAR DRAFTED: 2016 Review: 2017 Definition A crisis is defined as the times there are incidents/circumstances where Mother Teresa Catholic School is affected in ways which interfere with normal functioning. School Crisis Response Team: School Assistant s OH&S Representative Designated Classroom Teachers Parish Priest A major component of this team will be assigning roles and associated tasks. CRISIS MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST When collecting information about a crisis, follow these steps: Collect the following: What happened and when? Who was involved? Who was directly at the scene? Who witnessed the event and what did they see? Who knows about the incident? Are there siblings at the school? Have parents been contacted? What has been done so far? Is anyone in hospital, if so, who? Has there been any police involvement, if so, what is the name of the attending officer? Have other agencies been involved? Have neighbouring schools been notified? Procedure to follow: Contact parents Set up a recovery room Notify siblings in the school Inform staff Ask for volunteers to monitor the recovery room Inform students Contact the hospital for up to date information MTCC Crisis Management Plan Policy 1 of 16

2 Inform the parent body Inform the school board person Monitor school community reactions and provide support Monitor and support those in care-giving roles Liaise with outside agencies. Decide which agencies to work with Designate single person for managing the media Set a time for key people to sit down together and review the response so far. TEAM MEMBER ROLES Call the Crisis Management Team Meeting Organise all administrative and teaching relief Draft letter to parents Contact staff on leave and notify of the crisis/incident if appropriate Organise for additional counselling/debriefing staff as required Set up the support centre Monitor staff and students and ensure they receive counselling/practical support as required Ensure that families are aware of available support services Once a family has notified the school that they are experiencing some form of crisis, contact them and describe the various types of assistance available Occupational Health and Safety Representative If the crisis is a result of an incident/accident at school, ensure that all necessary steps are taken to provide a safe environment for the students Document the incident, reporting any identified future potential hazards DEATH OF A STUDENT Funeral The will discuss with the family and advise staff. Consider the size of the school and the year level. It may be appropriate that relevant staff, the student year level and other specific students be allowed to attend. A letter should be sent to parents informing them that their children will need to be accompanied by a parent or teacher; however, no more than three students may be with one adult. Arrange for relief staff for those staff who wish to attend and organise transport. The school may need to network with other schools if they are involved eg. siblings. Monuments, demonstrations and special assemblies to honour the deceased are to be avoided. Dramatisation can have a negative impact on students. Public Condolences These should be expressed to the family by way of an announcement in the newsletter and/or bereavement notice in the newspaper. MTCC Crisis Management Plan Policy 2 of 16

3 Belongings These should be collected and taken to the Office to be collected by the family. Teachers may wish to include classmates in the decision as to when to remove work being displayed in the classroom. Media STORM All requests for statements should be directed to the or their representative. Liaison with the media should occur only after there has been consultation with the family and the CEO. There is a need to protect the privacy of families and students, and consideration needs to be taken of the possibility of legal proceedings i.e. coronial investigations after a sudden death. A severe storm is defined as weather conditions that may damage property or school personnel. If prior warning by phone is given to the school, please note the date, time, name and agency. In the event of a severe storm the following should be followed: Immediately notify the Staff to be informed Assess the situation. Teacher to supervise their own class. If the classroom is damaged, students to be evacuated to the safest area. Teachers to check registers to ensure that all students are present, then await further instructions. If students are missing, report this to the designated Assistant, when it is safe to do so. Do not leave the children without supervision. Wait for the ALL CLEAR signal to be given. The safety of the students in your care must be given the first priority in every instance. MAD PERSON A mad person is defined as a person or persons who threatens or endangers the life of any student or school personnel. This may take the form of a bomb threat, abduction, or siege situation. In the event of a mad person contacting the school, do not hang up, leave the phone line open (use other line to contact police) In the event of a mad person on the school premises, the following steps should be taken: Immediately notify the (you must not leave the students without supervision). Assess the situation. If necessary the calls the Police. If necessary go to whole school Lockdown. The school Personal Address system is used to announce CODE 1. This signal informs all staff that the mad person is not carrying a weapon. The staff should see that doors are locked MTCC Crisis Management Plan Policy 3 of 16

4 and bolted shut and that students are in the room behind closed blinds whilst teaching continues out of sight. The school Personal Address system is used to announce CODE 2 which indicates that the mad person is carrying a weapon. After using the term Code 2 a message follows. It states: Attention please, attention please, could everyone please note All will be on duty this afternoon. All classrooms are then locked up from inside, door bolts are closed over, blinds are drawn closed and if the Mad Person is carrying a weapon the children must hide, in silence, under their tables or flat on the ground. Wait for the ALL CLEAR signal to be given by the or designated Assistant. The safety of the students in your care must be given the first priority in every instance. FIRE / EXPLOSION EVACUATION * If the power lines are connected the or designated Assistant uses the school Personal Address system to announce the evacuation marshalling area as either: Marshalling Area A - Steps from Eighty Road to Car Park. Marshalling Area B - Grassed area outside the Office. The Fire Brigade and if necessary Police are phoned by a member of the Leadership Team. If the power lines are not connected an air horn is used throughout the school to indicate to staff that evacuation is immediate. Classroom teachers will take the classroom roll and take their classroom keys. On leaving the classroom the doors are left open. Specialist staff working with classes outside their home room take their children to the designated marshalling area and hand said class over to the classroom teacher. Ancillary staff check toilet blocks. Administration staff take sign out book and parent contact details when departing the Administration Area. The and OH&S representative check the buildings. On arrival at the designated Marshalling Area the roll is called by each teacher who report figures to. MTCC Crisis Management Plan Policy 4 of 16

5 KEY PERSONS TO CONTACT FOR ASSISTANCE AFTER A TRAUMATIC INCIDENT POLICE/AMBULANCE: Emergency 000 Statewide Police (non-emergency) Local Police (Rockingham) STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE: Rockingham-Kwinana HOSPITAL: Princess Margaret Local - Rockingham Hospital SERVICES: Water Corp Western Power LOCAL DOCTOR SURGERIES POISONS INFORMATIONCENTRE SOCIAL WORK SERVICES CEO NGSPS (Non Government Schools Psychologist Services) Wilson MacNeil (Psych Team Leader) Terry Andrew (Consultant Snr Psychologist) Margaret Maassen (Student Well Being) PARISH PRIEST Father Geoff Aldous PRINCIPAL SCHOOLS ADVISOR South Metropolitan Sue Fox MTCC Crisis Management Plan Policy 5 of 16

6 Mother Teresa Catholic School Emergency Telephone Tree 2016 Mother Teresa Catholic College Crisis Management Team Geri O Keefe Alan Morrison Assistant Michelle Reed College Business Manager Raelene Ritikis Assistant Jane Pastore Administrative Assistant Sue Quigg Finance Officer Fr Geoff Aldous Parish Priest Staff on Leave: Class / Area 1. delivers the information to be passed on. 2. and Assistant s call all the staff in each column. 3. Advise the of who has been unable to be contacted. MTCC Crisis Management Plan Policy 6 of 16

7 Trauma Information Effects of Behaviour: Tension increased levels of agitation, easily startled, poor concentration. Disturbed Sleep inability to sleep, intrusive thoughts, re-enacting the incident, nightmares regarding the event or even imagining equally traumatic, unrelated events. Fearfulness of returning to the site of the trauma, or related objects, other reminders. Intrusive Feelings flashbacks intruding into everyday life and reducing concentration and ability to function normally. Children s Reactions Like adults, children react to trauma with strong emotions and feelings. While adults are often able to express these feelings verbally, children more often express them through their behaviour. Although children will express a variety of responses, there is no typical response. A number of possible responses are listed below: Increased fearfulness of the dark, of new places Regression to a younger age Nightmares and sleep/disturbances/bedwetting Psychosomatic complaints eg. unexplained aches and pains Delayed grief or no apparent reaction Sporadic grief Anger and emotional outbursts without provocation Denial. Guilt. Searching or confusion. RATIONALE Mother Teresa Catholic School in Baldivis endeavours to make a Catholic education available to all Catholic students whose parents seek a Catholic education for them, insofar as it is possible, while embodying the Church s special preference for the poor and disadvantaged. The School has a responsibility to communicate the financial constraints under which it operates, to parents enrolling their children. Parents are required to make a commitment to support Catholic education financially by paying fees. The Bishops of Western Australia have approved the collection of school fees from parents as a necessary contribution to the costs of delivering a Catholic education. MTCC Crisis Management Plan Policy 7 of 16

8 Community Resources: Resource / Agency Contact Name Phone Number Police 000 Rockingham Mandurah Ambulance 000 St John Ambulance Services Fire Baldivis Bush Fire Brigade 000 SES Rockingham Hospitals Rockingham General Hospital Doctors Bunbury Regional Baldivis Family Medical Centre Baldivis Medical Centre The Ridge Medical Centre Baldivis Doctors Other Contacts Catholic Education Office Perth Wilson MacNeil Catholic Education Office Perth Tim McDonald Catholic Education Office South Metropolitan Sue Fox Parish Priest Fr Geoff Aldus P&F President Melisa Osborne School Board Chairperson Tara Massey MTCC Crisis Management Plan Policy 8 of 16

9 CRISIS RESPONSE PLAN CHECKLIST Immediate Actions: Tasks for School Administrators Person Responsible Action Taken Contact Emergency Services (Ambulance / Police / Fire Brigade) Contact CEO - Wilson MacNeil - Terry Andrew - Tim McDonald Refer to Emergency Evacuation Procedures Ensure accident site remains undisturbed or Person in Charge or Person in Charge All Staff All Staff Make contact with family Contact key staff not on site - See out of hours Contact Tree Ensure a dedicated telephone line Admin Officer Direct all media enquiries to the Urgent contact made with members of Crisis Management Team Urgent meeting of Crisis Management Team Major duties of CMT will be to adjust the following Response Plan according to the requirements of the particular crisis and organise its implementation All Staff CMT: CRP: NGSPS: Crisis Management Team Crisis Response Plan Non-Government School Psychology Service MTCC Crisis Management Plan Policy 9 of 16

10 Immediate Actions: Tasks for Crisis Management Team Person Responsible Action Taken Convene urgent meeting of the Crisis Management Team Collate all information about the incident Leadership Team Prepare written statement for front office staff to respond to calls Inform all Non-Teaching & Teaching Staff Outline the details of the incident and the proposed Crisis Response Plan. Provide written information for staff to share with students. Suggest sources of personal support and support for students Offer CMT support for teachers who need help in talking to their class Leadership Team CMT refer to CRP MTCC Crisis Management Plan Policy 10 of 16

11 School Actions: Inform all Students Identify the student who are most likely to be affected. Eg siblings, relations Inform Parents Identify the parents who are most likely to be affected Decide on how and when to inform parents Provide by letter the facts of the incident and the Crisis Response Plan Set up a Recovery Room in the School Decide on a suitable room Eg. Library, Multipurpose Room Appoint a CMT or staff member to manage the room & document people using the room Advertise the availability of the room Liaise with Media to liaise with media Provide a set of clear guidelines for media contact with staff and students Provide the media with clear guidelines for making any contact with staff or students Debrief and Plan CMT to meet at the end of the day CMT CMT Assistant s CEO CEO CEO Debrief on day s events Plan for next day tasks and responsibilities Student Support Assist in identifying students most directly affected by incident and CMT and Coordinate support for students and Staff Meeting Staff Meeting MTCC Crisis Management Plan Policy 11 of 16

12 Teacher Support Assist in identifying teachers most directly affected by incident Coordinate support for teachers - Employee Assistance Program (attached) Parent Support Assist in identifying parents most affected by the incident and and and Coordinate support for parents and 1 to 3 Days After the Incident Tasks for School Administrators Person Responsible Action Taken Assist school to return to regular routine as soon as possible Provide structure to help students and staff to return to normal functioning CMT to determine ongoing requirements for additional counselling and support Student Support Decide on types of activities to assist students in grief process Provide staff with guidelines for students to talk about the incident Provide information updates on an ongoing basis CMT and CMT and CMT MTCC Crisis Management Plan Policy 12 of 16

13 1 to 3 Days After the Incident Tasks for School Psychologist Person Responsible Action Taken School Staff Support Provide structure/time for staff to deal with their own emotional responses Inform all relevant staff of the possible effects on students Remind the CMT to monitor their own mental and physical health School Students Support Allow time for students to deal with their own emotional responses in consultation with Staff Advise parents of the students you are supporting Prepare and use written formats for this purpose and During the First Month After the Incident Tasks for School Administrators Person Responsible Action Taken Arrange memorial service at school within a week of the incident if students or teachers have been killed if appropriate Encourage close friends and others directly involved in the incident to participate and be involved in the planning if appropriate Assistant s Assistant s Conduct a review of the response so far Acknowledge the effort, both physical and mental being expended by members of the CMT in particular and CMT MTCC Crisis Management Plan Policy 13 of 16

14 During the First Month After the Incident Tasks for School Psychologist Person Responsible Action Taken Encourage staff to be alert for signs of significant persistent change in behaviour of those affected by the incident Monitor progress for hospitalised students Ensure there is a support program for hospitalised students on return to school Monitor the mental and physical health of those in the caregiver role Arrange meetings with caregivers (including administrators) to monitor how well they are managing NGSPS, and Assistant s NGSPS and and Staff and NGSPS In the Longer Term Tasks for School Administrators Person Responsible Action Taken Monitor staff for signs of undue stress Employee Assistance Program (attached) Review the Crisis Management Plan and adjust as necessary and Leadership Team CMT Crisis Management Plan Policy Page 14 of 16

15 APPENDIX 1 NOTE: Appendix attached re Critical Incident Explanation and Emergency Reporting Process St John s Critical Incident and Emergency Reporting Process It is a Department of Education Services mandated expectation that the school principal, or in his or her absence a delegated representative from the Leadership Team, report to the CEWA Executive Director regarding the Management, Recording and Reporting of Critical and Emergency Incidents in our school. This process is achieved by communicating with the Employment and Community Relations department within CEWA Katie Franklyn is currently our CEWA Consultant in this department. Forms should be filled out and sent through to our allocated Employment and Community Relations Consultant at CEWA identifying the type of incident, from one or more of the following categories: 1. Death, or life-threatening injury, of a student or staff member at school, or following an incident that occurred at the school or through a related school-based activity or circumstance; 2. Circumstances that pose a critical risk to the health, safety or wellbeing of one or more students or staff; 3. Receipt of an allegation of child abuse, including but not limited to sexual abuse, against a student by a staff member or student or other person, whether the abuse is alleged to have occurred recently or in the past; 4. Issuing a formal warning to a staff member or ceasing the employment of a staff member for a breach of the Staff Code of Conduct suspected to be grooming behaviour; 5. Incidents requiring school closure, lockdown, or reduction of number of students or staff attending. If your potential Critical and Emergency Incident does not fall within one of the five categories you may not need to report it. If you are unsure of the process or have any questions please contact the Employment and Community Relations Consultants for advice. Crisis Management Plan Policy Page 15 of 16

16 See attached pdf: CRITICAL AND EMERGENCY INCIDENT REPORT FORM The Critical Incident Standard determined by the Minister for Education in accordance with s.159(1)(i) of the School Education Act 1999 requires the principal to notify the chair of the governing body and the Director General, Department of Education Services, about any critical and emergency incidents as soon as practicable and, in any event, within 48 hours of the incident. This form should be completed as soon as practicable and, in any event, within 48 hours of the incident, saved for your records and ed to: Katie Franklyn at CEWA Assistant Director, Non-Government Schools Telephone: (08) Facsimile: (08) Postal address: PO Box 1766 OSBORNE PARK DC WA 6017 Crisis Management Plan Policy Page 16 of 16